that all these restrictions do not concern cases
which have for their object questions of real estate, which shall be
tried and determined under the conditions established by the law.

The right of defense and the publicity of the hearings shall be assured
in all cases to foreigners who may appear before the Ottoman tribunals,
as well as to Ottoman subjects.

The preceding dispositions shall remain in force until the revision of
the ancient treaties, a revision which the Sublime Porte reserves to
itself the right to bring about hereafter by an understanding between it
and the friendly powers.

In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed the
protocol and have affixed thereto their seals.

Done at Constantinople the 11th of August, 1874.

[SEAL.] (Signed) A. AARIFI.

[SEAL.] (Signed) GEO. H. BOKER.

[Translation.]

LAW CONCEDING TO FOREIGNERS THE RIGHT OF HOLDING REAL ESTATE IN THE
OTTOMAN EMPIRE.

Imperial Rescript.--Let it be done in conformity with the contents.
7 Sepher, 1284 (January 18, 1867).

With the object of developing the prosperity of the country, to put an
end to the difficulties, to the abuses, and to the uncertainties which
have arisen on the subject of the right of foreigners to hold property
in the Ottoman Empire, and to complete, in accordance with a precise
regulation, the safeguards which are due to financial interests and to
administrative action, the following legislative enactments have been
promulgated by the order of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan:

ARTICLE I. Foreigners are admitted by the same privilege as Ottoman
subjects, and without any other restriction, to enjoy the right of
holding real estate, whether in the city or the country, throughout the
Empire, with the exception of the Province of the Hedjaz, by submitting
themselves to the laws and the regulations which govern Ottoman subjects
as is hereafter stated.

This arrangement does not concern subjects of Ottoman birth who have
changed their nationality, who shall be governed in this matter by a
special law.

ART. II. Foreigners, proprietors of real estate in town or in country,
are in consequence placed upon terms of equality with Ottoman subjects
in all things that concern their landed property.

The legal effect of this equality is--

First. To oblige them to conform to all the laws and regulations of the
police or of the municipality which govern at present or may govern
hereafter the enjoy